Meningioma

I have a brain tumour. But the prognosis is very good. A brain scan on Tuesday revealed the culprit: Meningioma.

Meningioma is a tumor/mass in the meningeal region of the brain, outside of the brain lining and pushing in. 95% are slow growing and benign. 4% are medium growing, and 1% is like Pac-Man eating up my brain. We won’t know which kind until they get it out.

In my case it’s on the right side, just in front of the centre line of the head. It’s pushing on the motor centre of the right side and thus affecting my left foot and arm.

I’m going in for surgery on March 24. I’ll be in the hospital for 1-3 days, then back home with staples in my head.

Recovery is anywhere from 2 months 6 months, and it’s possible I will regain 100% use of my motor functions. No driving for 6 months because of the risk of seizure.

None of the higher cognitive stuff is anywhere near the affected area.

I've alerted all of my clients, with the option of a full refund no questions asked, or substitution with one or both of my usual wedding photo partners, Francyne Dufault and Nathalie Vaillant.


This is happening very, very fast.

In February, my left foot was weirdly paralyzed. I spent a few weeks wondering if I should call a doctor. 2 weeks later, i saw a GP. 2 days later, I saw a neurologist. 2 days later, a brain scan. 5 hours later, the news: a mass on my brain. Next day, an MRI. Two more days, a meeting with the surgeon. Operation in 16 days (March 24).

CORRECTION - They have moved the operation to March 31.


Recovery

Unless things don't go well, I feel like I'll be back to photography in 2-4 months, but we won't know right away. No matter what happens, I'll be showing up to my gigs with another photographer, if only because I'll need a ride. If you're a client and you have any doubts - a full refund is on the table. My primary goal as a photographer is to take away your stress, not bring all this drama to your event.


Useful Links

Francyne Dufault: https://www.francynephotography.ca/

Nathalie Vaillant: https://www.facebook.com/nathalie.vaillant.10

A good resource for meningioma: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17858-meningioma

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